Theme Parks with Brian

08/28/2026

As summer winds down, I started thinking about which roller coaster we rode the most this season. For us, it was probably Twisted Timbers. Once Beau hit the 48” mark, it quickly became his go-to ride, and we rode it multiple times during every visit.

We don’t keep track of our ride totals, but I’m sure he’s ridden it at least 50 times this summer. What ride did you take the most laps on during the summer of 2026?

Here’s a Twisted Timbers POV from a few weeks ago…

08/28/2026

I took this photo of X2 when the park was shut down due to COVID, back when we lived in Valencia. Now, X2 has been shut down since July due to reports of brain injuries to riders. Do you think this could be the end of Magic Mountain’s popular roller coaster?

08/27/2026

I took these photos in July 2021 of the area where Volcano and Lost World once stood. At the time, we had no idea what would eventually take their place. Rapterra is a nice addition to the park, but it’s a tough pill to swallow when I think about all the great things that once called this spot home.

08/26/2026

The Loch Ness Monster has become one of Beau’s (my son’s) favorite roller coasters to ride at BGW. When Busch Gardens restored the ride for the 2024 season, it gave the classic Arrow coaster new life. Have you been able to ride the Loch Ness Monster since it was refurbished?

08/26/2026

Here’s one from the family photo album. The Halloween scene in Smurf Mountain at Kings Dominion.

08/25/2026

Today, the world mourns the loss of an American icon, Dolly Parton. While everyone is familiar with Dolly’s music and her beloved park, Dollywood, many may not know that she also performed at Kings Dominion in 1989.

Today, the music world and the theme park industry have lost a true American treasure. Dolly Parton has passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the songs we grew up loving.

For us here at KD Golden Years, Dolly’s story has a special connection to Kings Dominion.

Back when summer nights at Kings Dominion meant some of the biggest names in entertainment taking the stage, Dolly was part of that history. The park’s July 1989 Season Password newsletter advertised Dolly Parton for Sunday, August 20, 1989, with a 7 p.m. show and a concert ticket price of just $6. Imagine spending the day riding the Rebel Yell, Avalanche and Shockwave, then ending your evening seeing Dolly Parton live!

Her connection to the theme park world would, of course, become much bigger. In Tennessee, Dollywood grew into one of the country’s most beloved theme parks, carrying Dolly’s Appalachian roots, music, personality and generosity into an experience enjoyed by generations of families. Dollywood opened under her name in 1986 and became an important part of both her legacy and the tourism economy of East Tennessee.

That is what makes this loss feel a little closer to home for those of us who love park history. Dolly wasn’t simply a recording artist who once performed at Kings Dominion. She became part of the larger story of the theme park industry itself.

From the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to a summer concert night at Kings Dominion in Virginia, Dolly left memories wherever she went. Her songs became part of our lives, her movies made us laugh and cry, and her generosity, including the millions of books placed into the hands of children through her Imagination Library, showed that her greatest legacy extended well beyond the stage.

Today, KD Golden Years remembers Dolly Parton, 1946–2026, and that special little piece of Kings Dominion history she left behind.

The rides may change, the stages may disappear and the years may pass, but somewhere in our memories, it's still a summer night in 1989, the lights are coming up at Kings Dominion, and Dolly is about to take the stage.

Thank you Dolly, for the music, the memories and a legacy that will always love you. ❤️

08/25/2026

Finnegan’s Flyer POV facing the stables. For whatever reason, we always end up facing the other direction on the screamin’ swing at Busch Gardens. Do you have a preference for where you sit on this ride?

08/24/2026

Which iconic Kings Dominion roller coaster has the better first drop? The view as you descend on Racer 75 is hard to beat, but the drop on the Grizzly packs a punch. Which one do you prefer - Grizzly or Racer 75?

08/23/2026

Volcano The Blast Coaster : Coming in 1998!

What it could have been would have been amazing. Sadly, many of the plans never came to fruition. It was still a fun experience, and I’m glad I was around to enjoy it for many years. What do you miss most about Volcano at Kings Dominion?

08/23/2026

With Kings Dominion's Halloween Haunt just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share some throwback pictures from past events. This was the layout for No Vacancy, which went into the Action Theater in 2012. What did you think of this maze? It was probably one of my favorites that the park had in that location.